Menu

Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of your toenail grows down and cuts into the surrounding skin. Your big toes are most likely to be affected. Ingrown toenails can occur on just one, or both sides of your toe.

Ingrown toenails are fairly common, particularly in teenagers and young adults. They can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort and can become infected if not treated.

How we can help

Ingrown toenail management can be carried out at the Toronto Foot Clinic. If your ingrown toenail isn’t too severe, it can usually be trimmed at the clinic. We will lift the edge of your nail and cut away the ingrown section. If you’re waiting for the treatment from us, you can relieve the pain and discomfort in the meantime by bathing your foot in warm, epsom salt water. This will help reduce the inflammation and prevent your nail from becoming infected.

If your Ingrown Toenail is severe you may need a small surgical procedure to remove part of, or the whole of the toenail. Nail surgery can be carried out at Toronto Foot Clinic and in most cases you will be on your way home in less than an hour.

What Causes it?

There are several things that can cause, or contribute to, an ingrown toenail:

Wearing ill-fitting shoes. If your shoes are too tight they can force the skin surrounding our toenail against the nail.

Cutting your toenails incorrectly. Cutting your nails to short and into a curved shape can make them more likely to grow into your skin.

An injury to your toenail. An injury can leave your toenail deformed, making it more likely to become ingrown.

If you’re very sporty or active, you’re more likely to get an ingrown toenail. This is because your feet will sweat more, making your skin softer and easier for your nails to grow into.

Ingrown toenails can often be hereditary.

Take action

We spend quality time with each patient in order to better understand your foot care needs, and to recommend the best course of treatment.